JP5562252B2 - Glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the manufacture of glass-coated wires.

  Glass-coated wires are generally not necessarily required, but are relatively small diameter (typically 1 μm to larger diameter) metal coated with a relatively thin glass coating that is several μm thick. Includes core. These types of wires have found many applications in the wire market, including the microwire market, such as, for example, small electronic components, security tags for personnel, security tags for goods and goods, anti-counterfeiting applications, and communication wires.

  The glass coating method for metal wires is described in G. F. It was first described in 1924 by Taylor and subsequently modified in 1948 for relatively large scale production by Ulitovsky. The method commonly referred to as the Taylor-Uritovsky method is based on the process of heating a glass tube containing metal from the applied heat to the point where the metal melts and softens. Also have a substantially high melting point. The glass is then stretched to form a capillary tube, and the molten metal forms a metal core inside the tube. Electromagnetic induction is used to heat the metal until it melts, and the heat of the metal is often used to heat the glass until it can be softened and stretched.

  Aspects of some embodiments of the invention relate to providing a method, apparatus, and system for manufacturing a glass-coated wire, the core material and glass material used to form the glass-coated wire being a core The melting temperature of the material and the stretching temperature of the glass material (the temperature at which the glass can be stretched) can be selected to be independent of each other.

  In the prior art, the use of the Taylor-Uritovsky method involves melting the core material inside the glass tube. Using heat generated by electromagnetic induction, the core material, such as a metal (or metal alloy), is melted and the heat of the metal softens (melts) the glass to the drawing temperature. This requires that the melting temperature of the metal and the stretching temperature of the glass match. As a result, the technical viscosity of the glass necessary for the casting of the glass-coated wire must be achieved at a temperature approximately equal to the melting temperature of the metal (with a glass type having a drawing temperature consistent with the melting temperature of the hot metal). The ability to produce glass-coated wires from high-temperature metals is inherently limited (because it is difficult to select). Similar problems exist for the production of glass-coated wires from low temperature metals, for example with Pb (lead) or with Sn (tin), their respective melting temperatures, Tm = 327 ° C. and Tm = 232 ° C. It is very low compared with the glass stretching temperature (1100 ° C.).

  As previously mentioned, based on the Taylor-Uritovsky method, glass-coated wires are typically made using glass tubes containing metal batches, which are used to melt the metal by the electromagnetic field of the inductor. It is heated to a sufficient temperature. Next, the melted metal softens the glass tube wall. Usually, the magnetic field of the inductor holds the molten metal in a floating state in the glass tube at the center of the inductor. This is the so-called “floating droplet method”. A glass capillary is then drawn from the soft glass portion and wound around a rotating coil. As a result, the glass-coated wire can be formed from a “microbus” that includes molten metal and glass formed in a glass capillary filled with a conductive metal core to form a continuous glass-coated wire.

  The Taylor-Ulitovsky method appears to be a simple technique in nature, but requires many controls and is associated with many interrelationships that can limit the mass production of glass-coated wire using this method Variable exists. An important factor in achieving a stable method is the ability to maintain the constant dimensions of the microbus. For example, a continuous process requires the continuous addition of metal using a metal feed that is fed into the melt at a predetermined rate. Furthermore, when the metal and glass are used up, the glass requires a continuous supply by the supply tool in the area of the inductor. At the same time, the melting temperature of the metal needs to be controlled by changing the position of the metal in the inductor (under the same other conditions), while the diameter of the wire is controlled by changing the draw speed. The Careful control of these variables is essential because a decrease in drawing speed results in an increase in wire diameter and an increase in drawing speed results in a decrease in wire diameter. For example, a 20 micron (20 μm) wire may require a draw speed of about 800 m / sec, whereas a 100 micron (100 μm) wire may require a draw speed of about 10 m / sec.

  In accordance with aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the apparatus configured separately to melt a core material and soften the glass for stretching. Allowing the core material to have a melting temperature substantially higher than the melting temperature of the glass used in the glass-coated wire. Depending on the case, the melting temperature of the core material may be the same as the melting temperature of the glass or may be substantially lower than the melting temperature of the glass.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first heating device that is heated by a first electromagnetic inductor, the first device configured to melt a core material, the device further comprising: A second device that is heated by a second electromagnetic inductor is configured to soften the glass for drawing. The first device may be made of heat resistant steel and is used to produce glass-coated wires from low temperature metals such as lead, copper, aluminum and the like. This melting technique allows the use of an inductor frequency range for the first inductor from 0, 5 kilohertz to 30 kilohertz, for example, 2-10 kilohertz, and provides relatively good energy characteristics for this method. Bring. Ceramic equipment may be used for making glass-coated wires from high temperature metals. The use of ceramic equipment may be required when the melting temperature of a high temperature metal such as platinum (Tm = 1769 ° C.) is higher than the operating temperature of equipment made from heat resistant steel. In this case, the heating can be done within a frequency range of 30 to 800 kilohertz, for example 66 to 500 kilohertz.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the molten core material flows from the first device to the second device (as a flow or drop depending on manufacturing requirements). The second device can be formed from heat resistant steel and is further configured such that the molten core material is combined with softened glass to form a glass-coated wire. The glass-coated wire (glass capillary filled with molten core) is then used for the second device for cooling and subsequently for the steps required for the production of the glass-coated wire (eg winding). May be drawn from. The continuous supply of core material to the first device and the continuous supply of glass material to the second device allow for continuous production of glass-coated wire.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the core material may be melted in the second device if the melting point of the core material is substantially close to the melting point of the glass material. The core material can be placed in the first device in a first region that is physically isolated from the glass material that occupies the second region, and is melted in the device by heat conduction from the heated glass. May be. The molten metal can then be combined with the softened glass to form a glass-coated wire. The glass coated wire is then withdrawn from the instrument for cooling and subsequent processing.

  According to one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, a system for manufacturing glass-coated microwires with a generally circular cross section is provided. The system includes the apparatus described above and also includes a cooling device for cooling the stretched glass-coated wire. The cooling device may include a tank with a cooling liquid, which does not allow the stretched glass-coated wire to pass the unstable and turbulent cooling flow common in the art, rather than a stable non-turbulent flow. Configured to provide a cooling environment. As a result, uniform cooling is applied to all sides of the glass-coated wire, and a glass coating that is uniform and free of distortion is obtained. A uniform, generally circular cross section is obtained for the glass-coated wire.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for producing a glass-coated wire is provided, the apparatus being configured to separately heat the core material to its melting temperature and the glass material to its stretching temperature. Includes one heating device. Optionally, the apparatus further includes an outlet configured to combine the molten core material with the heated glass material to form a wire including the molten core material coated with glass. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one electromagnetic inductor configured to heat at least one heating device. Optionally, the at least one heating device includes a refractory metal. In addition, or alternatively, the at least one heating device includes a refractory ceramic. Optionally, the core material is continuously fed into at least one heating device. Optionally, the glass material is continuously fed into at least one heating device.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is further configured to first heat the device configured to heat the core material to its melting temperature and to heat the glass material to its stretching temperature. 2 heating equipment. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a guide tube configured to guide the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. Optionally, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. In addition or alternatively, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the second device includes a first region configured to receive a molten core material. Optionally, the second device includes a second region configured to receive a heated glass material.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the method comprising separately heating the core material to its melting temperature and the glass material to its stretching temperature; Combining the molten core material with a heated glass material to form a wire including the molten core material. Optionally, the method further comprises separately heating by electromagnetic induction. Optionally, the method further comprises continuously feeding the core material. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of continuously feeding the glass material.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises heating the core material with a first heating device and heating the glass material with a second heating device. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory ceramic. In addition or alternatively, the method further includes guiding the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. Optionally, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of receiving the molten core material in the first region of the second device. In addition or alternatively, the method further includes the step of containing the heated glass material in a second region of the second device.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the system including a glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus, the apparatus extending a core material to its melting temperature and stretching the glass material. At least one heating device configured to separately heat to temperature; and a cooling device for cooling the glass-coated wire. Optionally, the cooling device includes a tank filled with liquid. Optionally, the cooling device further includes at least one pulley inside the tank, around which the glass-coated wire passes. In addition or alternatively, the cooling device further includes at least one pulley outside the tank, around which the glass-coated wire passes.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, the system further includes an outlet configured to combine the molten core material with the heated glass material to form a wire including the molten core material coated with glass. In some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises at least one electromagnetic inductor configured to heat at least one heating device. Optionally, the at least one heating device includes a refractory metal. In addition, or alternatively, the at least one heating device includes a refractory ceramic. Optionally, the core material is continuously fed into at least one heating device. Optionally, the glass material is continuously fed into at least one heating device.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, the system is further configured to first heat equipment configured to heat the core material to its melting temperature and to heat the glass material to its stretching temperature. 2 heating equipment. Optionally, the system further includes a guide tube configured to guide the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. In addition or alternatively, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the second device includes a first region configured to receive a molten core material. Optionally, the second device includes a second region configured to contain a heated glass material.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one heating device is configured to heat the core material to its melting temperature and a first region configured to heat the core material to its melting temperature. And the second region.

  In some embodiments of the present invention, the core material comprises a metal, metal alloy, elemental semiconductor, non-ceramic semiconductor compound, or ceramic powder, or any combination thereof. In addition or alternatively, the core material is shaped as a rod, bar or wire. Optionally, the glass material comprises alkali silicate, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz, silica, soda lime, lead, or any combination thereof. In addition or alternatively, the glass material includes the form of glass powder, glass beads, or glass tubes.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a glass-coated metal wire having a substantially circular cross section is provided.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for producing a glass-coated wire is provided, the apparatus comprising: a first device configured to be heated to a first temperature that melts a core material; A second device configured to be heated to a second temperature resulting in a temperature; configured to combine the molten core material with the heated glass material to form a wire that includes the molten core material coated with glass. And exit. Optionally, the first temperature is higher than or equal to the second temperature. Optionally, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a first electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the first device. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a second electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the second device. In addition or alternatively, the core material is continuously fed into the first device. Optionally, the glass material is continuously fed into the second device. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory ceramic. In addition or alternatively, the apparatus further includes a guide tube configured to guide the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. Optionally, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the second device includes a first region configured to receive a molten core material. Optionally, the second device includes a second region configured to receive a heated glass material.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the apparatus including an apparatus including at least a first region and a second region, and an outlet, the first region containing a core material. And the second region is configured to contain a glass material. The apparatus is configured to be heated to melt the core material and bring the glass material to a stretching temperature, and the outlet is a molten core to form a molten core material coated with glass. Configured to combine the material with a heated glass material. Optionally, the apparatus further includes an electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the device. Optionally, the core material is continuously fed into the first region. In addition or alternatively, the glass material is continuously fed into the second region. Optionally, the device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the device comprises a refractory ceramic.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the system including a glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus, wherein the apparatus is heated to a first temperature that melts the core material. Forming a wire comprising a molten core material coated with glass; a first device configured to be heated to a second temperature that brings the glass material to a drawing temperature; An outlet configured to combine the molten core material with the heated glass material; and a cooling device for cooling the glass-coated wire. Optionally, the cooling device includes a tank filled with liquid. Optionally, the cooling device further includes at least one pulley inside the tank, around which the glass-coated wire passes. In addition or alternatively, the cooling device further includes at least one pulley external to the tank around which the glass-coated wire passes. Optionally, the first temperature is higher than or equal to the second temperature. Optionally, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a first electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the first device. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a second electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the second device. In addition or alternatively, the core material is continuously fed into the first device. Optionally, the glass material is continuously fed into the second device. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory ceramic. In addition or alternatively, the apparatus further includes a guide tube configured to guide the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. Optionally, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the second device includes a first region configured to receive a molten core material. Optionally, the second device includes a second region configured to receive a heated glass material.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, a glass-coated wire manufacturing system is provided, the system including a glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least a first region and a second region; An outlet and a cooling device for cooling the glass-coated wire, the first region is configured to receive a core material, and the second region is configured to receive a glass material, the device being In order to melt the core material and bring the glass material to a drawing temperature, the outlet is configured to be heated, and the outlet is formed of the molten core material with the heated glass material to form a molten core material coated with glass. Configured to combine. Optionally, the apparatus further includes an electromagnetic inductor configured to heat the device. Optionally, the core material is continuously fed into the first region. In addition or alternatively, the glass material is continuously fed into the second region. Optionally, the device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the device comprises a refractory ceramic.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the glass material includes the form of glass powder, glass beads, or glass tubes. Optionally, the glass material comprises alkali silicate, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz, silica, soda lime, lead, or any combination thereof.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the core material is shaped as a rod, bar or wire. Optionally, the core material comprises a metal, metal alloy, elemental semiconductor, non-ceramic semiconductor compound, or ceramic powder, or any combination thereof.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the method comprising melting a core material by heating a first device containing the core material to a first temperature; Bringing the glass material to a drawing temperature by heating a second device containing the glass material to a second temperature; heating the molten core material to form a wire comprising the molten core material coated with glass; Combining with a glass material. Optionally, the first temperature is higher than or equal to the second temperature. Optionally, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. In addition or alternatively, the method further includes heating the first device with a first electromagnetic inductor. Optionally, the method further comprises heating the second device with a second electromagnetic inductor. Optionally, the method further comprises continuously feeding the core material into the first device. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of continuously feeding the glass material to the second device. In addition to or instead of this, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the first device and / or the second device includes a refractory ceramic. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of guiding the molten core material stream from the first device to the second device. Optionally, the molten core material stream is a stream. Optionally, the molten core material stream includes falling drops. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of containing the molten core material in a first region of the second device. Optionally, the method further comprises the step of containing the heated glass material in a second region of the second device.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a glass-coated wire is provided, the method comprising: feeding a core material into a first region of the device; feeding a glass material into a second region of the device; Heating the device to melt the core material and bringing the glass material to a stretching temperature; combining the molten core material with the heated glass material to form a glass-coated molten core material; Including. Optionally, the method further comprises heating the instrument using electromagnetic induction. Optionally, the method further comprises continuously feeding the core material into the first region. In addition or alternatively, the method further includes continuously feeding glass material into the second region. Optionally, the device includes a refractory metal. Optionally, the device comprises a refractory ceramic.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises shaping the core material as a rod, bar or wire. Optionally, the core material comprises a metal, metal alloy, elemental semiconductor, non-ceramic semiconductor compound, or ceramic powder, or any combination thereof.

  In some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises forming the glass material into glass powder, glass beads, or glass tubes. Optionally, the glass material comprises alkali silicate, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, quartz, silica, soda lime, lead, or any combination thereof.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a glass-coated metal wire having a substantially circular cross section is provided.
Examples illustrating embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same reference in all the figures in which they appear. The dimensions of the components and features shown in the drawings are generally selected for convenience of display and clarity, and the dimensional ratios are not necessarily equal. The drawings are listed below.

1 is a schematic view of an exemplary glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary manufacturing system for a glass-coated wire with a substantially circular cross section according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic of the flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the glass-coated wire by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary apparatus 10 for manufacturing a glass-coated wire 19 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is configured to produce a glass-coated wire that includes a core material having a melting temperature and a glass material having a stretching temperature, the core material and the glass material being independent of each other. The apparatus 10 includes a first device 14 that is heated by a first electromagnetic inductor 15. The first device is configured to melt the core material 13, and this core material 13 is fed into the device, for example, continuously. The apparatus 10 further includes a second device 17, which is heated by a second electromagnetic inductor 18. The second device is configured to, for example, continuously melt (soften) the glass material 11 fed to the device and stretch it as a capillary tube. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous feed of the core material 13 into the first device 14 and the continuous feed of the glass material 11 into the second device 17 enable continuous production of glass-coated wire. . The first equipment 14 and the first inductor 15 may be included as part of the first induction heating furnace, and the second equipment 17 and the second inductor 18 are included as part of the second induction heating furnace. It may be.

  The term “continuous” or “continuous manufacturing” may be used according to some embodiments without the need to join two or more wire segments to form a desired length of wire. This refers to a process for manufacturing a wire having a length (such as a glass-coated wire). The term “continuous” or “continuous manufacturing” also refers to a length of wire (such as a glass-coated wire) as long as the core material and glass material are fed into the system, according to some embodiments. A process that can be manufactured.

  The term “equipment” is also referred to as “heating equipment” and, according to some embodiments, can be heated and / or generate heat, such as a crucible, furnace, furnace, heating system, etc. Refers to any equipment or part of equipment.

  The first device 14 can be made of heat resistant steel and can be used to produce glass-coated wires from low temperature metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, and the like. This melting technique allows the use of an inductor frequency range for the first inductor 15 from 0.5 to 30 kilohertz, for example from 2 kilohertz to 10 kilohertz, and provides relatively good energy characteristics to the method. In order to make a glass-coated wire from a high temperature metal, the first device 14 may be a refractory ceramic device. The use of ceramic equipment may be necessary when the melting temperature of a high temperature metal, such as platinum (Tm = 1769 ° C.), is higher than the operating temperature of equipment made of heat resistant steel. In this case, the heating can be done within a frequency range of 30 to 800 kilohertz, for example 66 to 500 kilohertz.

  The core material 13 can include any shape that the first device 14 can accept, such as a rod shape, a wire shape, a rod shape, etc., and can be of continuous length or limited in some cases. It can be of length. The diameter of the rod-shaped core material 13 can be in the range of 0.1 to 15 mm, such as 0.1 to 1 mm, 1 to 2 mm, 2 to 6 mm, 6 to 8 mm, 8 to 12 mm, and 12 to 15 mm. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the core material 13 is any metal, metal alloy, elemental semiconductor, non-ceramic semiconductor compound, or metal-based superconductor whose melting temperature is higher than the melting temperature of glass. Can do. Optionally, the core material 13 may have a melting temperature equal to or lower than the melting temperature of the glass. Examples of metals can include copper, gold, silver, titanium, platinum, rhodium, iron, lead, nickel, alloys of these metals, and the like. Examples of semiconductors can include silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and the like. Examples of non-ceramic semiconductor compounds can include gallium antimonide (GaSb) and indium antimonide (InSb).

  According to some embodiments of the present invention, the molten core material 16 produced by melting the core material 13 in the first device 14 flows out of the first device and connects the first device and the second device 17. It flows through the guide tube 101 (optionally insulated) and into the first region including the cavity 162 of the second device. The flow of molten core material 16 from the first device 14 to the second device 17 can be in the form of a continuous flow or a continuous drop depending on manufacturing requirements. Optionally, the flow may be intermittent (stops after a predetermined period).

  The second device 17 can be formed of heat resistant steel and is further configured such that the molten core material 16 can be combined with the softened glass 12 to form a glass-coated wire. The glass material 11 can take the form of glass powder, glass beads, glass tubes, etc., and can be fed continuously into the second region including the funnel-shaped cavity 160 of the second device 17, for example. The glass material 11 may include, for example, quartz, silica, alkali silicate, soda lime, borosilicate, aluminosilicate, lead, or any combination thereof. The glass material 11 is melted to become the softened glass 12 by the heat generated by the second inductor 18 in the second device 17, and the softened glass is inside the funnel-shaped cavity 160 having a small hole at the outlet 161. In, it is shaped like a funnel.

  Next, the softened glass 12 flows (or is pulled out) from the second device 17 through the outlet 161. The outlet is configured to combine the molten core material 16 with the softened glass 12 to form a glass-coated wire 19 when the softened glass 12 is stretched to become a capillary at the outlet. The dimensions of the outlet 161 depend on the desired diameter of the glass-coated wire 19, for example, depending on the end user order of the wire. The dimensions can be limited by the surface tension of the softened glass 12 in a viscous state that allows control of the flow of the softened glass and / or molten metal 16. Negative pressure can be used to improve surface tension conditions and can allow for larger exit dimensions, eg, 5 mm diameter.

  Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary glass-coated wire 29 manufacturing apparatus 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 20 includes a device 27 that is heated by an electromagnetic inductor 28 that produces a glass-coated wire 29 from a core material 23 and a glass material 21 with similar (close) melting and stretching temperatures, respectively. Configured. The device 27 including the inductor 28 and the cavity 262 (first region), the funnel-shaped cavity 260 (second region), and the outlet 261 includes the second inductor 18 and the cavity 162, funnel-shaped cavity 160 shown in FIG. And the second device 17 including the outlet 161 may be the same. The glass material 21 may be the same as that indicated by reference numeral 11 in FIG.

  In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a core material 23 that can be shaped similar to the core material 13 of FIG. 1 is disposed in the cavity 262 where heat transfer due to melting of the glass material 21 into the softened glass 22. Can be melted into the molten core material 26. The softened glass 22 flows (or withdrawn) from the device 27 through the outlet 261 and the molten core material combines with the softened glass 22 when the softened glass 22 is stretched to become a capillary at the outlet, and the glass coating. A wire 29 is formed.

  Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary manufacturing system 30 for a glass-coated wire 32 with a generally circular cross-section, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 30 includes a glass-coated wire manufacturing apparatus 31 and a cooling device 35 that cools a drawn capillary (glass-coated wire 32) filled with a molten core material. The cooling device 35 can include a tank with a coolant, and does not pass the unstable turbulent cooling flow that is common in the art, but provides a stable non-turbulent cooling environment with a stretched glass-coated wire. 32. As a result, uniform cooling is applied to all sides of the glass-coated wire 32 and a uniform and undistorted glass coating can be achieved. A uniform substantially circular cross section is obtained for the glass-coated wire 32. The device 31 and the glass-coated wire 32 can be the same as or substantially similar to those shown in FIG. Optionally, the device 31 and the glass-coated wire 32 can be the same or substantially similar to those shown in FIG.

  The system 30 further includes at least one pulley 36 inside the tank 35 and at least one pulley 33 outside the tank 35, which pulleys receive the glass-coated wire 32 when the glass-coated wire 32 is captured. It is configured to allow it to be drawn through the cooling tank 35 at a constant rate, thereby maintaining a constant cooling rate along the length of the glass-coated wire. Additional included is a liquid inlet line configured to allow coolant flow to the tank 35, as may be required to maintain an appropriate coolant temperature level within the tank. 34. The cooling liquid can include any liquid suitable for cooling the glass-coated wire 32 and can include, for example, water, oil, alcohol, emulsion, and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of manufacturing a glass-coated wire with the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary methods described are not intended to be limited to any form or method, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations in the practice of the method are possible.

  (Step 41) In the first step of the method, the temperature of the first device 14 must be heated to the melting temperature of the core material 13. The first electromagnetic inductor 15 is actuated to cause heating of the first device. Similarly, the temperature of the second device 17 must be heated to the stretching temperature of the glass material 11. The second electromagnetic inductor 18 is actuated to cause heating of the second device.

  (Step 42) In the second step of the method, and after each of the first device 14 and the second device 17 reaches a desired temperature, the core material 13 is fed into the first device and the glass material 11 is moved into the second device. Into the funnel-shaped cavity 160. The feeding of the core material and the glass material can be continuous so as to achieve continuous production of the glass-coated wire 19. Optionally, the material feed may be made for a limited duration.

  (Step 43) In the third step of the method, the core material 13 is melted to become the molten core material 16 in the first device 14, and the glass material 11 is melted to become the softened glass 12. .

  (Step 44) In the fourth step of the method, the molten core material 16 flows into the cavity 162 of the second device 17. The molten core material flow may be in a flow from the outlet of the first device 14 through the tube to the cavity. Optionally, the flow may be as drops. The molten core stream may be continuous or intermittent depending on manufacturing requirements.

  (Step 45) In the fifth step of the method, the softened glass 12 flows (or is drawn) from the device 17 through the outlet 161 and is drawn from the cavity 162 when the softened glass is stretched to become a capillary at the outlet. Combined with the flowing molten core material 16.

  (Step 46) In a sixth step of the method, a glass-coated wire 19 in the form of a glass capillary with a molten core material therein is withdrawn from the second device 17 for cooling.

  In the description of the embodiments of the invention and in the claims, the terms “comprising”, “include” and “have”, and variations thereof, are listed in relation to those terms. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the elements.

  The present invention has been described using various detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments can include a variety of features, but not all of the features are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the invention utilize only some features or possible combinations of features. Those skilled in the art will envision embodiments of the present invention that include variations of the described embodiments of the invention and various combinations of the features described in the described embodiments.

Claims (10)

An apparatus for producing glass-coated wire,
The manufacturing apparatus is configured to continuously manufacture a glass-coated wire, and includes a first heating device and a second heating device, and the first heating device receives a continuous supply of a core material, Heated to a melting temperature and configured to deliver a molten core material stream to a second heating device, the second heating device comprising a first region and a second region that are physically isolated, The molten core material from one heating device is accommodated in the first region, the continuous supply of the glass material is independently received in the second region, and the glass material is heated to its stretching temperature,
The first region of the second heating device contains a portion of the molten core material from the first heating device so that a portion of the molten core material flows toward the outlet of the second heating device; Having a cavity defining a first region configured to maintain and maintain a portion of the molten core material in a molten state;
The second region of the second heating device receives the glass material independently and separately and heats it to its stretching temperature, directing the softened glass material toward the outlet, and the funnel with the central hole in the softened glass material. Having a funnel-like cavity configured to be molded as
The outlet of the second heating device is at the outlet by pouring the molten core material from the first region cavity of the second heating device into a central hole formed in the funnel-shaped softened glass material from the funnel-shaped cavity, An apparatus configured to combine a molten core material with a funnel-like softened glass material to allow continuous drawing of a drawn glass capillary filled with the molten core material from the outlet.   Thermal insulation configured to guide a molten core material stream from the first heating device to a first region cavity of the second heating device to maintain the molten core material contained in the cavity in a molten state. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sex guide tube.   A cooling device having a tank configured to contain a cooling liquid and pass through the cooling liquid so that all side surfaces of the glass-coated wire are uniformly cooled. 2. The apparatus according to 2.   The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the molten core material flowing through the guide tube comprises a continuous flow, an intermittent flow, or a falling drop.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electromagnetic inductor configured to heat one of the first heating device and the second heating device. A method for producing a glass-coated wire,
The method is for continuously producing glass-coated wire,
Continuously supplying the core material to the first heating device and continuously supplying the glass material independently to the funnel-shaped cavity of the second heating device;
The core material in the first heating device is heated to its melting temperature, and the glass material in the funnel-shaped cavity of the second heating device is independently and separately heated to its stretching temperature, thereby softening the glass material. Molding the softened glass material as a funnel with a central hole;
When the glass material is softened and shaped as a funnel with a central hole in the second heating device, the molten core material from the first heating device is physically isolated from the funnel-like cavity of the second heating device. Pouring into the cavity of the first region of the second heating device;
Pouring the molten core material from the first region cavity and the funnel-shaped softened glass material from the funnel-shaped cavity toward the outlet of the second heating device;
At the outlet, the molten core material flows from the first region cavity into a central hole formed in the funnel-shaped softened glass material, thereby allowing the molten core material flow from the first region cavity to flow into the funnel of the second heating device. Continuously combining with a stretched softened glass material from a cylindrical cavity;
Stretching a softened glass material from the outlet to obtain a stretched glass capillary filled with a molten core material. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of insulating the molten core material stream from the first heating device to the second heating device. The method according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the heating is performed by electromagnetic induction. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , further comprising cooling the drawn glass capillary tube filled with the molten core material in a cooling device. The method according to claim 9, wherein the cooling step includes a step of passing a drawn glass capillary tube filled with the molten core material in a cooling liquid.

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